Michel Destot, Mayor of Grenoble and Chair of the Association of French City Mayors (AMGVF) mentions the key role of local authorities at the centre of water governance.

Cities are a central concern for this century: 50% of the people in the world today live in urban areas, and the figure could reach 75% by 2050. Since water is crucial for the day-to-day running of a city, as well as for sustainable development and the survival of our planet, more than ever before, local authorities have a major role to play in water governance.

What are the issues at stake?

The first issue is greater transparency for users and greater participation by users.

It also seems essential to improve our facilities, because local authorities are lagging behind in this respect. Investments in water must have priority in economic revival plans in which sustainable development is a major feature.

A final issue is that we must raise the awareness of our fellow citizens about the cost of quality services for water supply and wastewater treatment. Many people believe that water should be free, and this is why we need to deliberately promote clear public discussion about the cost of water.

In conclusion, I would say that the issue of water management can be used to redefine the notion of sustainable development in the noblest sense of the term. Better water management is obviously synonymous with environmental protection, by providing a quality water service. The economic value of water management can be seen in the services of our operators in France. Lastly, everyone should have access to quality water at the best rates, in France and around the world: that is the social facet of water management. The relations being set up between our local authorities and the countries in the Global South, as part of collective projects for decentralised co-operation, are to be encouraged in the field of water governance. They form the finest definition of sustainable development, because they take into account all the environmental protection, economic and social issues involved.

 

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Read the article about the price of water